“Having concluded the state of Christ’s humiliation by way of general application, we shall likewise consider the steps of Christ’s exaltation all together, and make application.
May faith make the previously discussed matters a present reality. Frequently join Mary Magdalene in visiting the grave and remain there in quiet meditation.
Behold, as it were, Jesus dead in the grave, the glorious descent of the angel who removes the stone from the grave, and the glorious and triumphant manner in which the Lord Jesus, being alive again, exited from the grave.
Focus upon the appearance of the angels and all the appearances of Christ. Listen to all His conversations with the women and the disciples, and thus allow yourself to be quietly led into the truth and glory of Christ’s resurrection, considering how all has been finished and conquered by Him.
Accompany the disciples to the Mount of Olives; listen to the last blessings of Christ and behold Him ascending into heaven, taking His place upon His Father’s command at the right hand of God, surrounded with incomprehensible glory.
Hearken to the jubilation of the inhabitants of heaven, “God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet” (Psa. 47:5).
How the glorious angels did rejoice, who also rejoiced when the Lord founded the earth (Job 38:7), and who magnified the Lord when the Messiah was born, exclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)!
How innumerable must have been the multitude which in orderly arrangement reached from earth to heaven! How large was the multitude which preceded Him and followed Him!
How they must have rejoiced and bowed themselves before the King of glory at His triumphant entry! And how they must have trumpeted forth His honor and glory! How the glorified saints must have yearned to see Him!
How they rejoiced in beholding Him, bidding their Surety and Lord welcome, and bowing down before Him jubilating, Hallelujah!
Therefore fix your eye at once upon this King of glory and behold this King in His beauty. As He with deep-felt sorrow truly tasted all bitterness, anxiety and shame in His human nature, He has likewise, as man, truly rejoiced; this day was for Him a “day of the gladness of His heart” (Song of Sol. 3:11).
How He must have rejoiced over the glory which God His Father received, by bringing to Himself His Son whom He had sent forth to perform so great a task which He had so faithfully performed!
How He must have rejoiced in the redemption of His brethren, and in the fact that He would now prepare a place for them! With what delight the Father has received Him and placed Him at His right hand, crowning Him with glory and honor!
In one word, all of heaven was filled with joy, and all its inhabitants would sing in turn::
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory” (Psa. 24:7–8, 10).”
–Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, Volume 1 (God, Man, and Christ), Ed. Joel Beeke, Trans. Bartel Elshout (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 1700/1992), 1: 651-652.
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